Miniature Plumb Bobs

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Friday, March 18, 2016

Sometime after the discovery of graphite in the 16th century, an early version of the pencil was produced in Italy by hollowing out a stick of wood to insert a graphite stick. Sound familiar? The essence of the pencil has not changed very much. It's utilitarian nature and sleek design inspired us to create a miniature brass version that is also a working plumb bob.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

To meet the challenge of bringing enough working light into a mine, an underground surveyor of yore made use of a mining plummet: a hollowed out plumb bob filled with lamp oil and a wick. While the work was dangerous, the ingenious design produced a fascinating tool. From my machinist perspective I've spent time studying the mining plummet and recreated this piece in miniature in my workshop. This is a working plumb bob and comes with a wick - though it is designed to be a collector's item.

It measures just over 2” from cap to tip and weighs in at 2 ounces including the hanging chain.The body is approx ¾” diameter and the gimble ring is 1” in diameter.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

As we explore the world of the plumb bob we're not
surprised to find them in the collection of museums across the country and
across the globe. From ancient artifacts to contemporary art the plumb bob has
served as a practical tool and an object of inspiration. It has been used as a
divining rod, as a symbol for the Free Masons, and as an aid for artists and
sculptors. George Washington used one during his time as a surveyor.

Starting tomorrow on Facebook we will feature a plumb bob in the collection of a museum or art gallery every Monday. If you see an item you
think we should feature, pass it along.

For those reading the blog, we provide you with a preview of our first Museum Monday entry: an ancient Egyptian plumb bob in the collection the Fitzwilliam Museum, the museum of the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England. It is described in their online collection database as a "Basalt Ceremonial Plumb Bob" from ancient times. Learn more about it on the museum's website.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Some of you
may ask, from where does the word plumb derive? Well, as I was reminded by my
cousin over the past weekend, Pb (an abbreviation of the Latin, plumbum) is the
symbol for lead. As lead weights were used from an early date to establish a
vertical, the tool used to do so were eventually known in English as plumb
bobs, plumb lines, or plummets. (Plumbing also derives from this element in
connection with lead pipes).While
contemporary times provide us with a multitude of ways to establish a vertical,
the plumb bob remains a tried and true reliable tool. Our miniature brass plumb
bobs, available on Etsy, provide you with a true vertical without the need to carry around a bob of
lead!